Arkansas
Arkansas lawmakers to tackle spending this week
Arkansas lawmakers are entering another week of the state’s fiscal session, where key decisions about how taxpayer money is spent are being made largely in budget committee meetings rather than on the House or Senate floor.During the fiscal session, lawmakers focus primarily on approving the state’s budget — deciding how money is distributed to agencies and programs that fund core services.This week, legislators are expected to work through hundreds of millions of dollars in spending, with a focus on education, health care and other essential services.Much of that work happens in the Joint Budget Committee, where lawmakers review agency requests and build the state’s spending plan before sending bills to the full House and Senate for final approval.On Tuesday, lawmakers are set to review whether the state should pay out claims and lawsuit settlements, including cases involving the Department of Corrections. They will also consider funding for several constitutional offices, including the Supreme Court, secretary of state and auditor. By Wednesday, the focus shifts to major state agencies such as the departments of health, human services and education, which fund programs like Medicaid, public health services and schools. Lawmakers will also review how federal funding is being used, including money from programs created during and after the pandemic and infrastructure investments. That includes more than $1 billion the state expects to receive over several years to support health care, particularly in rural areas.Rep. Lee Johnson, R-Greenwood and vice chair of the Joint Budget Committee, said the funding presents a significant opportunity for the state.“’One big, beautiful bill’ is bringing over $1 billion into our state over the next five years through rural health transformation funding,” Johnson said. “That’s a tremendous opportunity for us to improve health care in Arkansas.”The discussions come as Arkansas is projecting a budget surplus, shifting the debate from whether to cut spending to how to allocate additional funds.Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, said lawmakers are focused on how to use that surplus while continuing efforts to attract businesses to the state.“We have money. We’re expecting a $400 million surplus this year,” Hester said. “We’re going to get the fight over what we’re going to do with the money, not what we’re going to do in an absence of money.”However, some lawmakers have raised concerns about long-term spending commitments tied to new programs.Rep. Nicole Clowney, D-Fayetteville, said decisions made during the fiscal session could have lasting financial impacts.“Once you’ve given somebody something from the government, it is very hard to take that thing away,” Clowney said. “This is going to be a long-term commitment that our state is going to be dealing with for a very long time.”Lawmakers are expected to continue working through budget items over the next several days before sending more spending bills to the full House and Senate for consideration.
Arkansas lawmakers are entering another week of the state’s fiscal session, where key decisions about how taxpayer money is spent are being made largely in budget committee meetings rather than on the House or Senate floor.
During the fiscal session, lawmakers focus primarily on approving the state’s budget — deciding how money is distributed to agencies and programs that fund core services.
This week, legislators are expected to work through hundreds of millions of dollars in spending, with a focus on education, health care and other essential services.
Much of that work happens in the Joint Budget Committee, where lawmakers review agency requests and build the state’s spending plan before sending bills to the full House and Senate for final approval.
On Tuesday, lawmakers are set to review whether the state should pay out claims and lawsuit settlements, including cases involving the Department of Corrections. They will also consider funding for several constitutional offices, including the Supreme Court, secretary of state and auditor.
By Wednesday, the focus shifts to major state agencies such as the departments of health, human services and education, which fund programs like Medicaid, public health services and schools.
Lawmakers will also review how federal funding is being used, including money from programs created during and after the pandemic and infrastructure investments. That includes more than $1 billion the state expects to receive over several years to support health care, particularly in rural areas.
Rep. Lee Johnson, R-Greenwood and vice chair of the Joint Budget Committee, said the funding presents a significant opportunity for the state.
“’One big, beautiful bill’ is bringing over $1 billion into our state over the next five years through rural health transformation funding,” Johnson said. “That’s a tremendous opportunity for us to improve health care in Arkansas.”
The discussions come as Arkansas is projecting a budget surplus, shifting the debate from whether to cut spending to how to allocate additional funds.
Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, said lawmakers are focused on how to use that surplus while continuing efforts to attract businesses to the state.
“We have money. We’re expecting a $400 million surplus this year,” Hester said. “We’re going to get the fight over what we’re going to do with the money, not what we’re going to do in an absence of money.”
However, some lawmakers have raised concerns about long-term spending commitments tied to new programs.
Rep. Nicole Clowney, D-Fayetteville, said decisions made during the fiscal session could have lasting financial impacts.
“Once you’ve given somebody something from the government, it is very hard to take that thing away,” Clowney said. “This is going to be a long-term commitment that our state is going to be dealing with for a very long time.”
Lawmakers are expected to continue working through budget items over the next several days before sending more spending bills to the full House and Senate for consideration.
Monday starts off quiet, but the cloud will grow this afternoon and thunderstorms will develop.
A couple isolated thunderstorms are possible by 2:00 p.m., but they will be more likely between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.. Thunderstorms will produce dangerous lightning, of course, and some may produce very strong wind gusts. Storms will carry into the evening, and should end in Central Arkansas by 10:00 p.m., but in South Arkansas they may last as late as Midnight.
Tuesday afternoon will bring a few more thunderstorms in the afternoon with the same threats. The rain and storm chance will drop even lower on Wednesday.
Then, with no rain or storms in the forecast for Thursday and Friday, it will be just plain old hot!
Rain and thunderstorm chances will return over the weekend.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Here are the biggest stories you might have missed in the week of June 28-July 4.
1. Arkansas SNAP ban on soda and candy takes effect under Sanders waiver
Gov. Sanders’ waiver that will ban soft drinks and candy from Arkansas’ Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to go into effect on July 1. (PHOTO: KATV)
Gov. Sanders’ waiver that will ban soft drinks and candy from Arkansas’ Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to go into effect on July 1.
Under the waiver, SNAP benefits can no longer be used to soft drinks, including low- and no-calorie sodas, fruit and vegetable drinks containing less than 50% natural juice, candy, and other “unhealthy beverages.”
The Governor’s office claims the SNAP reform plan is the first of its kind in the nation, calling it an attempt to restore food stamps’ focus on nutrition.
CLICK HERE for full story.
2. Republican Party of Arkansas files FEC complaint against Chris Jones campaign
The Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) has accused Chris Jones’ congressional campaign of violating federal election law, according to a new complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). (PHOTO: KATV)
The Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) has accused Chris Jones’ congressional campaign of violating federal election law, according to a new complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The complaint alleges that yard signs promoting “Chris Jones for Congress” failed to include the disclaimer “Paid for by The Committee to Elect Chris Jones” in the correct format. Under federal election law and FEC regulations, any printed campaign materials are required to have disclaimers inside a printed box away from the other contents of the communication.
The complaint also includes an image of Jones’ online campaign store which sells a yard sign with the correct disclaimer.
CLICK HERE for full story.
3. Riceland sounds alarm on farm crisis, weighs permanent closure of drying facilities
The farm economy crisis isn’t just taking its toll on Arkansas farmers. Now it’s threatening the state’s agricultural infrastructure itself, and Riceland Foods is sounding the alarm and hoping Washington, D.C., is listening. (PHOTO: KATV)
The farm economy crisis isn’t just taking its toll on Arkansas farmers. Now it’s threatening the state’s agricultural infrastructure itself, and Riceland Foods is sounding the alarm and hoping Washington, D.C., is listening.
Just over a week ago, Riceland announced that it would temporarily close 38 percent of its rice drying facilities because of a nearly 40 percent drop in rice planted this year. Now, the co-op says it’s forced to consider permanent closures and layoffs.
“We’re not in a posture right now where we’re ready to announce the number,” said Ben Noble, Riceland Foods executive vice president and chief operating officer. “As we look real closely at what the signup is and how much rice we’re actually going to get beyond just estimates, of course, we’re going to have to evaluate. Do we have enough supply and demand to match our assets? And we may have to face some tough decisions in the future.”
CLICK HERE for full story.
4. Dad reportedly forgets he didn’t drop toddler off at daycare, finds him dead in backseat
A man reportedly forgot he didn’t drop his son off at daycare and returned to find him dead in the backseat of a vehicle. (PHOTO: File)
A man reportedly forgot he didn’t drop his son off at daycare and returned to find him dead in the backseat of a vehicle.
According to a statement issued by police on X at 8:40 p.m. on Monday, June 29, a toddler was found dead inside a vehicle Monday outside a Plantation preschool, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
The Plantation Police and Fire Department and Plantation Fire Department responded at about 5:39 p.m. Monday to A World of Discovery Academy after receiving a report of a deceased child inside a vehicle.
CLICK HERE for full story.
5. Arkansas SNAP gets hard stop on soda, candy, soft drinks – off the table starting July 1
Starting Wednesday, what ends up in your shopping cart could depend on how you’re paying for it. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Starting Wednesday, what ends up in your shopping cart could depend on how you’re paying for it.
Arkansas is rolling out new restrictions on SNAP purchases, banning the use of food assistance benefits for soda, candy, and certain sugary drinks. That includes both traditional and diet sodas, along with fruit and vegetable drinks that contain less than 50 percent natural juice.
State leaders say the move is aimed at steering families toward healthier choices and reducing access to heavily processed foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The change follows a federal waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, setting the policy to take effect July 1, 2026.
CLICK HERE for full story.
6. Malvern School District mourns death of rising high school senior Kai Reed
The Malvern School District is mourning the loss of rising Malvern High School senior Kai Reed. (PHOTO: Malvern School District Facebook)
The Malvern School District is mourning the loss of rising Malvern High School senior Kai Reed.
In a statement posted to Facebook, district officials says they were heartbroken by the loss of Reed and extended their condolences to his family, friends, classmates, teachers, and loved ones.
“The Malvern School District extends its deepest condolences to Kai’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask our community to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate the days ahead,” the post said. “The loss of a young person affects an entire community.”
CLICK HERE for full story.
7. Hayward Finks selected to serve as North Little Rock police chief
The City of North Little Rock has a new police chief. (PHOTO: City of Little Rock)
The City of North Little Rock has a new police chief.
Officials say that Chief Hayward Finks, who was selected by North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick to serve as the city’s next Chief of Police, will be introduced on Jul. 6.
“We are honored to have Chief Finks serve as Chief of Police for our city. He is a proven, professional leader with uncompromising devotion to customer service and community safety. I believe he is an exemplary choice as our next police chief,” said Hartwick.
CLICK HERE for full story.
Arkansas
A WORD | July 5: Arkansas’ own little game likes to play with your brain | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Kelly Brant
Kelly Brant is an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette style editor and columnist focused on food and cooking. She has been at the newspaper since 1996, and has been an editor since 2009. Kelly is also the official Obfuscator of the paper’s weekly word game, A Word.
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